Apparatus and System for Lint Removal

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and a system comprise a joining mechanism comprising a first part and a second part. The first part is configured for joining to an iron. A lint removal unit is configured to be operable for removing particles from a surface of a material. A connector mechanism comprises a first end and a second end. The first end is configured for joining to the lint removal unit. The second end is configured for joining to the second part of the joining mechanism where using the iron on the material places the lint removal unit on the surface of the material for removing particles.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present Utility patent application claims priority benefit of theU.S. provisional application for patent Ser. No. 61/365,497, entitled“Attachable & Detachable Lint Remover Product, filed on Jul. 19, 2010under 35 U.S.C. 119(e). The contents of this related provisionalapplication are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes to theextent that such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith or limitinghereof.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING APPENDIX

Not applicable.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office,patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rightswhatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

One or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to clothingcare. More particularly, the invention relates to a lint removerattachment system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following background information may present examples of specificaspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts,or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educatethe reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to beconstrued as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof,to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon. Ironing ofclothing and removing of lint from the same piece of clothing isconventionally a two-step process. Typically, the cloth is ironed firstand then a lint remover is rolled over the clothing.

By way of educational background, an aspect of the prior art generallyuseful to be aware of is that typical lint removers are handheld devicesthat are rolled or brushed over the item from which the lint is to beremoved. FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary adhesive lint remover, inaccordance with the prior art. This lint remover comprises a cylindricalroll 101 of mildly adhesive material capable of expunging lint and otherundesirable elements from clothing materials and a handle 103 fordriving cylindrical roll 101 over clothing.

In view of the foregoing, it is clear that these traditional techniquesare not perfect and leave room for more optimal approaches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary adhesive lint remover, in accordancewith the prior art;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate an exemplary hook for a lint removerattachment system, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 2A is a diagrammatic side view of the hook, and FIG. 2Bis a diagrammatic side view of the hook attached to an iron; and

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an exemplary lint remover attachment system,in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A is adiagrammatic side view, and FIG. 3B is a diagrammatic top view.

Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are notnecessarily drawn to scale.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the forgoing and other objects and in accordance with thepurpose of the invention, a variety of apparatus and systems for lintremoval are described.

In one embodiment an apparatus comprises a lint removal unit beingconfigured to be operable for removing particles from a surface of amaterial. A connector mechanism comprises a first end and a second end.The first end is configured for joining to the lint removal unit. Thesecond end is configured for joining to an iron where using the iron onthe material places the lint removal unit on the surface of the materialfor removing particles. In another embodiment the lint removal unitcomprises a cylindrical member being operable for collecting theparticles. In yet another embodiment the first end of the connectormechanism is rotatably joined to the cylindrical member for enabling thecylindrical member to roll on the surface of the material. In stillanother embodiment the cylindrical member is removable from theconnector mechanism. In another embodiment the second end of theconnector mechanism comprises a part of a joining mechanism for joiningto the iron. In yet another embodiment the connector mechanism comprisestwo members. Each of the two members comprises a first member end and asecond member end. The first member ends are joined to the cylindricalmember. In still another embodiment each of the first member ends isjoined to separate ends of the cylindrical member. In another embodimentthe second member ends are joined to the part of a joining mechanism. Inyet another embodiment the part of a joining mechanism comprises a hookshaped structure. In still another embodiment the hook shaped structurecomprises a hook joined to each of the second member ends. In anotherembodiment each of the two members comprises a rod. In yet anotherembodiment the lint removal unit comprises an adhesive material forcollecting the particles. In still another embodiment the adhesivematerial is layered.

In another embodiment a system comprises means for joining to an iron,means for removing particles from a surface of a material, and means forconnecting the particle removing means to the iron joining means whereusing the iron on the material places the particle removing means on thesurface of the material for removing particles.

In another embodiment a system comprises a joining mechanism comprisinga first part and a second part. The first part is configured for joiningto an iron. A lint removal unit is configured to be operable forremoving particles from a surface of a material. A connector mechanismcomprises a first end and a second end. The first end is configured forjoining to the lint removal unit. The second end is configured forjoining to the second part of the joining mechanism where using the ironon the material places the lint removal unit on the surface of thematerial for removing particles. In another embodiment the lint removalunit comprises a cylindrical member comprising a surface comprising anadhesive material being operable for collecting the particles. Thecylindrical member is rotatably joined to the cylindrical member forenabling the cylindrical member to roll on the surface of the material.The cylindrical member further being configured to be removable from theconnector mechanism. In yet another embodiment the connector mechanismcomprises two members. Each of the two members comprises a first memberend and a second member end. Each of the first member ends is joined toseparate ends of the cylindrical member. The second member ends arejoined to the second part of the joining mechanism. In still anotherembodiment the first part of the joining mechanism comprises two hookshaped structures each comprising an adhesive pad for joining to asurface of the iron. In another embodiment the second part of thejoining mechanism comprises two hook shaped structures being configuredfor removably joining to the first part of the joining mechanism. In yetanother embodiment each of the two members comprises a rod.

Other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention willbecome more apparent and be more readily understood from the followingdetailed description, which should be read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailedfigures and description set forth herein.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to theFigures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thatthe detailed description given herein with respect to these figures isfor explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limitedembodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled inthe art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention,recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, dependingupon the needs of the particular application, to implement thefunctionality of any given detail described herein, beyond theparticular implementation choices in the following embodiments describedand shown. That is, there are numerous modifications and variations ofthe invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit withinthe scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read asplural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, whereappropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply thatthe two are mutually exclusive.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limitedto the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturingtechniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary.It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used forthe purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is notintended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be notedthat as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is areference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof knownto those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a referenceto “a step” or “a means” is a reference to one or more steps or meansand may include sub-steps and subservient means. All conjunctions usedare to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, theword “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical“or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the contextclearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to beunderstood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures.Language that may be construed to express approximation should be sounderstood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skillin the art to which this invention belongs. Preferred methods,techniques, devices, and materials are described, although any methods,techniques, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to thosedescribed herein may be used in the practice or testing of the presentinvention. Structures described herein are to be understood also torefer to functional equivalents of such structures. The presentinvention will now be described in detail with reference to embodimentsthereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modificationswill be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations andmodifications may involve equivalent and other features which arealready known in the art, and which may be used instead of or inaddition to features already described herein.

Although Claims have been formulated in this application to particularcombinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of thedisclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature orany novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly orimplicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates tothe same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and whether or notit mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does thepresent invention.

Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments mayalso be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely,various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of asingle embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitablesubcombination. The Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may beformulated to such features and/or combinations of such features duringthe prosecution of the present application or of any further applicationderived therefrom.

References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,”“various embodiments,” etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of theinvention so described may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes theparticular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated useof the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an exemplary embodiment,” donot necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.

As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful considerationsand compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimalmanufacture of a commercial implementation any system, and inparticular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercialimplementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of thepresent invention may configured according to the needs of theparticular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s),result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachingsrelated to any described embodiment of the present invention may besuitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improvedand/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skillsand known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation thataddresses the needs of the particular application.

It is to be understood that any exact measurements/dimensions orparticular construction materials indicated herein are solely providedas examples of suitable configurations and are not intended to belimiting in any way. Depending on the needs of the particularapplication, those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in lightof the following teachings, a multiplicity of suitable alternativeimplementation details.

A practical embodiment of the present invention provides a lint removerattachment system. In many practical embodiments the lint removerattachment system is designed as an attachment to an iron, such that itenables both ironing and lint removal from a piece of clothsimultaneously.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate an exemplary hook 201 for a lint removerattachment system, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 2A is a diagrammatic side view of hook 201, and FIG. 2Bis a diagrammatic side view of hook 201 fastened to the rear surface ofan iron 203. In the present embodiment, means for joining to the iron,hook 201 comprises an adhesive pad 205 that is capable of attaching hook201 to a surface such as, but not limited to, iron 203. Hook 21 is madeof plastic; however, hooks in some alternate embodiments may be made ofvarious different materials including, without limitation, metal. It iscontemplated that some alternate embodiments may be implemented in whichhooks are integrated into the body of the iron rather than beingattached to the iron with adhesive.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an exemplary lint remover attachment system,in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A is adiagrammatic side view, and FIG. 3B is a diagrammatic top view. In thepresent embodiment, the lint remover attachment system comprises acylindrical lint remover 301 and two connector rods 303 attached to twohooks 305, which are fastened to an iron 307. Means for removingparticles from a surface of a material, cylindrical lint remover 301comprises a roll of adhesive material capable of removing lint fromclothing by allowing the lint to stick onto its sticky surface and anaxle mechanism that allows lint remover 301 to roll like a wheel. Theaxle mechanism runs through the center of cylindrical lint remover 301and is exposed on both circular end surfaces where means for connectingto hook 201, connector rods 303, fit into the axle mechanism, with onerod 303 on each side of lint remover 301. In some alternate embodiments,the cylindrical lint remover may be implemented without an axlemechanism. In these embodiments, alternate means for enabling the lintremover to roll may be used such as, but not limited to, attaching theconnector rods to the lint remover in such a way that the lint removerrotates around this connection point or providing end caps on the lintremover that comprise rotating means. In other alternate embodiments,non-rolling lint removers may be used. In embodiments comprisingnon-rolling lint removers, these lint removers may have shapes otherthan cylindrical shapes such as, but not limited to, flat rectangles.

In typical use of the present embodiment, the lint remover attachmentsystem enables an end-user to iron a piece of clothing and remove lintat the same time. Connector rods 303 emanating from cylindrical lintremover 301 are latched onto hooks 305 that are fastened to the rear ofiron 307. As a user moves iron 307 across a cloth item to be ironed,connector rods 303 pull or push cylindrical lint roller 301 along withiron 307. The axle mechanism within cylindrical lint remover 301 enablescylindrical lint remover 301 to roll as it moves across the cloth, andthe sticky surface of cylindrical lint remover 301 collects any lint orother particulates that may be present on the cloth. It is believed thatthe heat from iron 307 may increase the effectiveness of lint remover301.

After using the lint remover attachment system for simultaneous ironingand lint removing, the user can detach connector rods 303 from hooks 305and store cylindrical lint remover 301 and connector rods 303 away. Insome alternate embodiments, the connector rods may be permanentlyattached to the iron. In the present embodiment, the sticky surface ofcylindrical lint remover 301 can be peeled away after it has gatheredsufficient lint, thereby exposing a fresh adhesive surface for more lintremoval. When the roll of adhesive material on cylindrical lint remover301 is completely used up, cylindrical lint remover 301 can be replacedwith a new lint remover. To remove cylindrical lint remover 301 once itis used, connector rods 303 are detached from the axle mechanism ofcylindrical lint remover 301 and lint remover 301 is removed. Then,connector rods 303 are attached to a new lint remover via the axlemechanism of the new lint remover. In some alternate embodiments, theconnector rods may be permanently attached to the lint remover. In theseembodiments the entire lint remover connector rod assembly is removedand replaced when the roll of adhesive material is used. In somealternate embodiments the lint remover attachment systems may beimplemented with various different types of lint removers rather thanrolls of adhesive material such as, but not limited to, washableadhesive rollers, fabric lint removers, sponges, combs, brushes, etc.

The attachable/detachable lint remover attachment system according tothe present embodiment can be used on many types of irons irrespectiveof manufacturer, source of energy and other factors that candifferentiate irons. Those skilled in the art, in light of the teachingsof the present invention, will readily recognize that a multiplicity ofsuitable attachment means may be used to attach the connection rods tothe iron such as, but not limited to, snaps, elastic bands, clips, etc.Some alternate embodiments of the present invention may be implementedthat can be attached to an iron with a single hook. In these embodimentsthe connector rods may both latch onto the single hook. Alternatively,the connector rods may attach to a cross rod that runs parallel to thecylindrical lint roller. This cross rod may then latch onto the hook.

In another alternate embodiment, an iron comprises an embedded lintremover assembly that is permanently fixed to the iron. In thisembodiment, the iron comprises a hollow section with a cover at its rearend where the lint remover assembly is stored. When the cover is opened,the lint removal assembly is activated and becomes a trailer to theiron. When the cover is closed, the lint removal assembly is safelytucked away in the hollow. Other alternate embodiments may comprisepermanent lint removal assemblies that do not store away within theiron.

Further exemplary and ALTERNATIVE embodiments and implementationvariations are described in the following.

The lint assembly system provides a mechanism to remove a ply of stickysurface after it has fully collected lint from clothing or provides aconvenient way for the user to easily remove a spent ply of stickysurface.

Example Implementations

Described in some detail are two example implementations (A and B),without limitation, of an embodiment of the invention, as follows:Attachable and Detachable Lint Removal Assembly. Permanently affixedLint Removal Assembly.

[A] Attachable and Detachable Lint Removal Assembly.

The attachable and detachable Lint Removal assembly can be used with anyiron in the market today. The sticky surfaces of the 2 hooks are affixedto the rear end of the iron. The two connector rods are attached to thehooks. A cylindrical lint remover roll is fixed in between the twoconnector rods. This assembly makes the lint remover a trailer to theiron, where the cylindrical lint remover fully rests on the clothingbeing ironed and thus as the iron is operated on the clothing is bothpressed and cleaned of lint.

[B] Permanently Affixed Lint Removal Assembly.

The Permanently affixed Lint Removal Assembly is an implementation ofthe invention that can be used to manufacture a combo iron (Iron+Lintremover assembly). This implementation embodies an iron which has ahollow at the rear end. The lint remover assembly will reside in thehollow when it is not in use and safely stored away by a hollow cover.The lint remover assembly is held in place in the hollow by the 2connector rods. On one end, the two rods are permanently affixed tocorners inside the hollow. The cylindrical lint removal assembly thenfixed to the other end of the two rods. When lint remover is in use, itresembles the appearance of an aerator dragged by a lawn mower. Thecylindrical lint remover, can be replaced when its layers are exhaustedwith a new roll. The connector rods can/cannot be removed. The hollowwill have a cover. The cover will have a latch that can be released andlocked. (Just like a battery component of a toy car. The battery housingis the hollow, the battery is the lint remover assembly and the covercan be released to let the battery fall out or closed to make thebattery stay in.) such that when lint assembly is not in use, the coverseals it off the ironing board. And when the user desires to iron andremove lint from the clothing material, removing the latch engages thelint assembly for action. This assembly makes the lint remover a trailerto the iron, where the cylindrical lint remover fully rests on theclothing being ironed and thus as the iron is operated on the clothingis both pressed and cleaned of lint.

All the features disclosed in this specification, including anyaccompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternativefeatures serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unlessexpressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise,each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series ofequivalent or similar features.

Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention,other equivalent or alternative methods of providing a lint removerattachment system according to the present invention will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. The invention has been described above by wayof illustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not intendedto limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. For example,the particular implementation of the connector rods may vary dependingupon the particular type of connection used. The connections describedin the foregoing were directed to rear-mounted implementations; however,similar techniques are to connect the lint remover attachment system tovarious different locations on an iron including, without limitation,the front or the sides. Implementations of the present invention thatcan be mounted to the iron in different locations are contemplated aswithin the scope of the present invention. The invention is thus tocover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the following claims.

1. An apparatus comprising: a lint removal unit being configured to beoperable for removing particles from a surface of a material; and aconnector mechanism comprising a first end and a second end, said firstend being configured for joining to said lint removal unit, said secondend being configured for joining to an iron where using the iron on thematerial places said lint removal unit on the surface of the materialfor removing particles.
 2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, in whichsaid lint removal unit comprises a cylindrical member being operable forcollecting the particles.
 3. The apparatus as recited in claim 2, inwhich said first end of said connector mechanism is rotatably joined tosaid cylindrical member for enabling said cylindrical member to roll onthe surface of the material.
 4. The apparatus as recited in claim 3, inwhich said cylindrical member is removable from said connectormechanism.
 5. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said secondend of said connector mechanism comprises a part of a joining mechanismfor joining to the iron.
 6. The apparatus as recited in claim 5, inwhich said connector mechanism comprises two members, each of said twomembers comprising a first member end and a second member end, saidfirst member ends being joined to said cylindrical member.
 7. Theapparatus as recited in claim 6, in which each of said first member endsbeing joined to separate ends of said cylindrical member.
 8. Theapparatus as recited in claim 6, in which said second member ends beingjoined to said part of a joining mechanism.
 9. The apparatus as recitedin claim 8, in which said part of a joining mechanism comprises a hookshaped structure.
 10. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, in which saidhook shaped structure comprises a hook joined to each of said secondmember ends.
 11. The apparatus as recited in claim 6, in which each ofsaid two members comprises a rod.
 12. The apparatus as recited in claim1, in which said lint removal unit comprises an adhesive material forcollecting the particles.
 13. The apparatus as recited in claim 12, inwhich said adhesive material is layered.
 14. A system comprising: meansfor joining to an iron; means for removing particles from a surface of amaterial; and means for connecting said particle removing means to saidiron joining means where using the iron on the material places saidparticle removing means on the surface of the material for removingparticles.
 15. A system comprising: a joining mechanism comprising afirst part and a second part, said first part being configured forjoining to an iron; a lint removal unit being configured to be operablefor removing particles from a surface of a material; and a connectormechanism comprising a first end and a second end, said first end beingconfigured for joining to said lint removal unit, said second end beingconfigured for joining to said second part of said joining mechanismwhere using the iron on the material places said lint removal unit onthe surface of the material for removing particles.
 16. The system asrecited in claim 15, in which said lint removal unit comprises acylindrical member comprising a surface comprising an adhesive materialbeing operable for collecting the particles, said cylindrical memberbeing rotatably joined to said cylindrical member for enabling saidcylindrical member to roll on the surface of the material and saidcylindrical member further being configured to be removable from saidconnector mechanism.
 17. The system as recited in claim 16, in whichsaid connector mechanism comprises two members, each of said two memberscomprising a first member end and a second member end, each of saidfirst member ends being joined to separate ends of said cylindricalmember, said second member ends being joined to said second part of saidjoining mechanism.
 18. The system as recited in claim 15, in which saidfirst part of said joining mechanism comprises two hook shapedstructures each comprising an adhesive pad for joining to a surface ofthe iron.
 19. The system as recited in claim 18, in which said secondpart of said joining mechanism comprises two hook shaped structuresbeing configured for removably joining to said first part of saidjoining mechanism.
 20. The system as recited in claim 17, in which eachof said two members comprises a rod.